Sly Bald Guys Forum
Various Non-Bald Discussions => Autos,Toys and Hobbies => Topic started by: Alexander215 on April 09, 2009, 05:40:03 PM
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Well with Tyler's permission I am setting up a work log here on a case mod I am starting.
Case modification (commonly referred to as case modding) is the modification of a computer chassis (often just referred to as the case), or a video game console chassis. Modifying a computer case in any non-standard way is considered a case mod. Many people, particularly hardware enthusiasts, use case mods to illustrate a computer's power (by showing off the internal hardware), and also for aesthetic purposes. Cases may also be modified to improve a computer's performance. - wikipedia
I'm posting my work log here because quite frankly, SBG has a greater sense of community than case mod forums anyway.
My goals for this mod is to increase airflow, aesthetics, and reuse as much of the case itself so I don't waste anything.
The theme is grunge, based around a stencil I based on one of my tattoos.
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I couldn't find an identifying manufacturing number, or a model name. But these show its construction, its made from lightweight aluminum, with the side and top panels from steel. It's a pretty big case, almost three feet tall. I am going to cut a 140mm fan hole in the upper rear with a small 80mm fan hole that should be directly across from the cpu once the motherboard is installed. I plan on putting dual turbine style 120mm fan intakes in the bezel. Other details I'll fill in later.
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After drilling out a lot of rivets, I have the chassis pretty bare. I removed the rolling castor case feet, and I'll replace them with something better later.
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I glued the 3.5" bay covers, I'm removing both 3.5" bay cages, throwing one out and relocating one up into a 5.25" bay later on.
Prepped the rear to drill the 80mm fan hole, I'm using a bi-metal hole saw kit by BMR for this and the 120mm fan holes later on. Drill mount holes is as easy as squaring the wire fan grills over the hole and marking them. I used a jig saw to cut out the 140mm fan hole.
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I cut out the lower front, cut the hole in the side panel for a window, cut out the two holes on the top for a pair of recessed handles I had lying around and used the metal that came out of the side panel to cut a piece to fit what I cut out of the front.
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I cut out the 120mm holes to mount the two front 120mm fans in the piece that is going to replace the front lower half. I then took a 5.25" bay cover and marked out three holes for some bad ass military switches, a chrome finish top flanked by two carbon fiber top switches.
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Drilled out with a half inch bit.
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Primed and sealed via Duplicolor Primer, and Duplicolor Primer Sealer. Chassis is done, but I only have the first coat done on the rest.
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You can see the size of the window here. I believe it is 11" X 17" inches.
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Painted the chassis and other parts with Duplicolor's Matte black, in a rattle can.
The 3.5" bays actually clip together one the bottom, so I sat one inside a 5.25" bay and marked where the clips rested. I drilled that out and squared it using a nibbler so that it can clip in, I also drilled very small holes at the end to secure it with rivets later on.
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And I painted the side panels and bay covers with Daytona Yellow engine enamel paint, by Duplicolor. I plan on doing on painting them tomorrow with Duplicolor's yellow/gold metal cast as a clear coat, giving it the honey color I want.
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Metal cast is applied, I made it run in places so that it gave the illusion of honey having run down the sides. I also applied the metal cast to the top of the bolts I'm using to secure the fans and recessed handles. It was as simple as poking them through a piece of newspaper and painting them.
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Lower front panel cut out riveted in. The rivets don't have to be even this is after all supposed to be grunge, mnpctech machined case feet bolted in, and the 3.5" bay riveted into the lower 5.25" bay.
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I installed the recessed handles, the window kit and I cut out my stencil and painted the side panel without the window.
One of my cats knocked the side panel off my work table, and you can see the scratch. In this case it doesn't matter because it makes it more grunge I guess.
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I started working on the bezel. I cut two lipped ducts that are approximately 120mm in diameter and cut them to the same length as the bezel is thick, and used a 120mm holesaw to cut the appropriate holes for them. I duct taped around the inside to secure them temporarily.
I am going to use short strand bondo to sculpt the front of the bezel, so I also prepped some applicators from a empty yogurt container. The ridges give them strength not found in the applicators you can buy made by bondo.
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I applied bondo to the bezel and started sanding it. It's still quite rough so I will have to repeat the process a couple times to build the layers and contours I want.
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Looks like a neat mod so far. You said its based off of a tattoo you have? can we see the tat? And is that a server chassis? It looks HUGE.
Good work so far dude! O0
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Looks like a neat mod so far. You said its based off of a tattoo you have? can we see the tat? And is that a server chassis? It looks HUGE.
Good work so far dude! O0
Heres a pic of the tattoo I mentioned, I have 5 tattoo's in total. I got it shortly before I began business college, just to mark that I was entering the work force and becoming a "worker bee" but also to remind myself I was not a drone. The case is a Full tower, it is larger than a midtower which is what most home pc's are, in fact its almost three feet tall I wanted it big because I like to have a lot of space on the inside so that I can actually get my hands in there.
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I'm using #8-32 X 3" Robertson pan head bolts to secure all my fans, why Robertson? (square head) because it was invented by a Canadian.
The reason I am using 3 inch bolts is because instead of a single fan per mount, I am double stacking them. You can see in the next couple of pictures two of the front 120mm's stacked with a single one mounted below it. I'm waiting for another 120mm and 140mm fan to come in. Making in total:
4 X 120mm fans in front
1 X 80mm fan in the rear
2 X 140mm fan in rear
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Ran into trouble. Apparently the switches I have are all SPST on/off switches. I can't use these to turn ON my computer, just to turn on other components such as fans. Apparently I need to look for DPST or momentary switches.
Unfortunately The Source doesn't carry DPST momentary toggle switches and I haven't the faintest idea where I can get them locally. Thankfully I figure its still going to be at least another 5 weeks before I get this case finished. If any of you sly guys know where I can get one cheap, or have one laying around contact me ;)
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I'm using #8-32 X 3" Robertson pan head bolts to secure all my fans, why Robertson? (square head) because it was invented by a Canadian.
The reason I am using 3 inch bolts is because instead of a single fan per mount, I am double stacking them. You can see in the next couple of pictures two of the front 120mm's stacked with a single one mounted below it. I'm waiting for another 120mm and 140mm fan to come in. Making in total:
4 X 120mm fans in front
1 X 80mm fan in the rear
2 X 140mm fan in rear
good lord its going to sound like a jet taking off! haha
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I'm using #8-32 X 3" Robertson pan head bolts to secure all my fans, why Robertson? (square head) because it was invented by a Canadian.
The reason I am using 3 inch bolts is because instead of a single fan per mount, I am double stacking them. You can see in the next couple of pictures two of the front 120mm's stacked with a single one mounted below it. I'm waiting for another 120mm and 140mm fan to come in. Making in total:
4 X 120mm fans in front
1 X 80mm fan in the rear
2 X 140mm fan in rear
good lord its going to sound like a jet taking off! haha
Haha pretty much! I am using rubber grommets between the fans, bolts and the case, so it should cut down a fair bit of the noise. None of my fans are over 33db, but stacking them the way I am I have no idea what its going to sound like.
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Filled in the pits, sanded, primed and painted!
I am thinking about painting the interior of the intakes black, and lining it with hexagonal mesh. I am not sure yet.
Ignore the fact that the chair has been destroyed, one of its legs is broken anyway.
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I found a sleeving kit I bought almost two years buried under junk, so I:
Sleeved my fan cables
Made a custom switch cable for a dual CCFL kit (yellow) I also had laying around.
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I took the little metal clip springs from the case and sprayed them with Duplicolors Metallic Flake, third picture you can seen them put back in place.
A kind gentleman by name of Horst sent me a DPDT momentary switch, junk to him, gold to me! I polished it up with some silver cleaner.
I also bought beer for the weekend O0
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I still haven't figured out how I am going to make the paint finish "grunge" I'd like to give it a weathered look but I'm not sure how to go about it.
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sandpaper?
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sandpaper?
That's a great idea! It should give it a kind of distressed finished. I'll experiment later today O0
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Well I took a shot and rough sanded everything that was yellow, I think it came out pretty bangin'
I was going to originally stencil big black hexagons around the intake holes, but it looked terrible. I'm not that artistic, so go figure eh. I ended up painstakingly peeling it off while it was still somewhat gooey with my finger nail, so if you look close around the top intake you can see its outline. I painted the interior black, and spritzed around the edge, I think it came out tight.
And I took hexagon mesh and replaced some of the 5.25" bay covers, gives it a little bit of an industrial edge, I'm going to secure it with 3M double sided tape.
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That is looking pretty sweet
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I wrapped the circuit box in hexagonal aluminum mesh.
I also found two beam air grills, I'll mount them on the inside to focus the air.
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My second 140mm fan came in, and my fourth 120mm fan came in. They are mounted along with the beam air focus grills.
I also took most of today moving all my computer components to my new case. You can see me putting in my motherboard. If the picture confuses you the motherboard tray unlocks and folds out backwards.
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The CCFL's kind of give it a post apocalyptic, nuclear glow. I suppose that is grunge.
If your wondering why the logo is upside down, I actually painted it that way. All my other pics show the side panel upside down. Even I am confused now...
Thanks for watching O0
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i really like the CFL's with the fans. thats sweet looking. like radioactive honey. haha.
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That's a very awesome looking case!
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That is sweet
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Thanks guys O0